Orioles designate Betemit for assignment; reinstate Urrutia

The Orioles have designated Wilson Betemit for assignment and reinstated outfielder Henry Urrutia from the restricted list.

Because of visa issues, Urrutia, a Cuban defector, could not go with the team to Toronto this week.

Betemit, a designated hitter primarily against right-handed pitching, missed most of the season after tearing a knee ligament in March.

Betemit, 31, made his season debut Aug. 27 in Boston. He had been in six games, starting three, and was hitless in 10 at-bats.

“Wilson is a solid veteran player who worked hard to come back from injury, but just ran out of at-bats and time to contribute to this year’s club,” executive vice president Dan Duquette said via text message.

A favorite in the clubhouse for his professionalism, Betemit signed a two-year, $3.25 million deal in January 2012 and hit .261 with 12 homers in 102 games for the Orioles last year. He had a $3.2 million vesting option for 2014 if he had reached 700 plate appearances in the two seasons. But because of injuries he had just 386 plate appearances for the Orioles.